First Aid Mnemonics

General first aid mnemonics

> DR ABC (primary survey)

Danger Response

Airway, Breathing Circulation/Compressions/Call an ambulance

> HEAD (general methodology)

History Examination Action Documentation

> CHAT (general methodology)

Chief complaint History Allergies Treatment

Major incident

> METHANE

Major incident declared Exact location Type of incident Hazards (present and future) Access

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Number, type, severity of casualties Emergency services now present and those required

> CHALETS

Casualties, number, type, severity Hazards (present and future) Access routes that are safe to use Location Emergency services present and required Type of incident Safety

History taking

> SAMPLE (questions to ask casualties)

Signs & symptoms Allergies Medication Previous relevant medical history Last oral intake Event history

> PQRST-U (assessing pain)

Provoke - what provokes the pain? Quality - what is the pain like? Sharp? Dull? Ache? Radiates - does the pain go anywhere else? Severity - how bad is the pain on a scale of 0 - 10. Time - when did the pain start/finish.

U - what do you think about the pain? Is this normal for you? Have you had this before?

> SOCRATES (assessing pain)

Site - where is the pain? Onset - when did the pain begin?

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Character - Sharp? Dull? Ache? Radiation - does the pain go anywhere? Associated symptoms - any other symptoms? e.g: Nausea & Vomiting Timing - when did the pain begin? Exacerbating and relieving factors - anything make it better or worse? Severity - how bad is the pain on a scale of 0 - 10

Fractures

> PLASTIC (signs & symptoms of a fracture)

Pain Loss of movement Angulation Swelling Tenderness Irregularity Crepitus

> LIP DUST (signs & symptoms of a fracture)

Loss of movement Irregularity Pain

Deformity Unnatural movement Swelling Tenderness

Major bleeding and shock

> PEEP (treatment of major bleeding)

Position Expose Elevation Pressure

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> RED-E (treatment of major bleeding)

Rest Expose Direct Pressure Elevation

> CLIP GG's (types of wound)

Contusion Laceration Incision Puncture Gunshot Graze Stab

Causes of unconsciousness

> FISH SHAPED

Fainting Infantile convulsions Shock Head Injury

Stroke Heart Attack Asphyxia Poisons Epilepsy Diabetes

Sprains & strains

> RICE (treatment of a sprain or strain)

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Rest Ice Comfortable position / compression Elevation

Levels of consciousness

> AVPU (assessment of level of consciousness)

Alert Voice - does the casualty respond to verbal commands? Pain - does the casualty respond to a pain stimulus? Unresponsive

Handovers

> ASHICE (handover of a casualty - normally done over the radio / phone)

Age Sex History Injuries Consciousness level/changes Everything else / ETA

> ATMIST (handover of a trauma casualty)

Age Time of incident Mechanism of injury Injuries (top to toe) Signs (vital signs) Treatment given

> SBAR (handover of any critical situation)

Situation Background

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Assessment Recommendations

Secondary survey

> DOTS (things to look for on a secondary survey)

Deformity Open wounds Tenderness Swelling

Burns

> SCALD (assessment of a burn)

Size Cause Age Location Depth

Sports first aid / injuries

> SALTAPS (assessment of the injured player)

Stop Ask - questions about the injury Look - at the injury Touch - feel for tenderness Active movement Passive movement Stand - can they weight bear?

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